Luminous Mysteries

Luminous Mysteries

Prayed on Thursdays

Certainly the whole mystery of Christ is a mystery of light. He is the “light of the world.” Jn. 8:12. Yet this truth emerges in a special way during the years of his public life, when he proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom. In proposing to the Christian community five significant moments- “luminous” mysteries- during this phase of Christ’s life, … each of these mysteries is a revelation of the Kingdom now presesent in the very person of Christ… In these mysteries, the presence of Mary remains in the background…Yet the role she assumed at Cana in some way accompanies Christ throughout his ministry… the great maternal counsel which Mary addresses to the Church at every age: ‘Do whatever He tells you’ Jn. 2:5 … is a fitting introduction to the words and signs of Christ’s public ministry and it forms the Marian foundation of all the ‘mysteries of light.'”

Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II, “On the Most Holy Rosary”- “Rosarium Virginis Mariae”, October 16, 2002 at 28-29.  

First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism in the Jordan.

“And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased'” (Mt 3:16-17).

“Jesus’ public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan. John preaches ‘a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins’ (Lk 3:3)” (CCC, 535).

Second Luminous Mystery: The wedding feast of Cana.

“On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you'” (Jn 2:1-5)

“On the threshold of his public life Jesus performs his first sign at his mother’s request – during a wedding feast: The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence” (CCC, 1613).

Third Luminous Mystery: The proclamation of the kingdom of God

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15).

“Everyone is called to enter the Kingdom. First announced to the children of Israel, this messianic kingdom is intended to accept men of all nations” (CCC, 543).

Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration.

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light” (Mt 17:1-2).

“For a moment Jesus discloses his divine glory, confirming Peter’s confession. He also reveals that he will have to go by the way of the cross at Jerusalem in order to ‘enter into his glory’ (Lk 24-26)” (CCC,555).

Fifth Luminous Mystery: The institution of the Eucharist.

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body'” (Mt 26:26).

“By celebrating the Last Supper with his Apostles in the course of the Passover meal, Jesus gave the Jewish Passover its definitive meaning. Jesus’ passing over to his Father by his Death and Resurrection, the new Passover, is anticipated in the Supper and celebrated in the Eucharist, which fulfils the Jewish Passover and anticipates the final Passover of the Church in the glory of the Kingdom” (CCC,1340).